Wayne County Airport Authority chair quits

Just one week after the Wayne County Airport Authority voted to fire airport CEO Turkia Mullin, the group's chairwoman has announced her resignation.

In a written statement Renee' Axt said:

"I notified the Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano and the Airport Authority Board today that I have resigned from the Airport Authority Board, effective immediately. The timing allows the Board to prepare for its next meeting with knowledge of my resignation. It also provides the County Executive the opportunity to appoint a new individual to the Board prior to the Board's election of new officers, which will occur this month. I am very proud of my service on the Airport Authority Board, and wish everyone the best going forward."

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano praised her for her hard work and accomplishments: "Ms. Axt has been a dedicated volunteer," he said. "She worked tirelessly for the good of the airport and was very proactive in pushing projects forward.

The board voted 5-2 last Monday to relieve Mullin of her duties and terminate her three-year contract. The board said there is a clause in her contract that states she can be fired for theft, dishonesty and unethical business practices. They did not elaborate on which triggered their decision.

Mullin and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano have been under fire since news broke in September that Mullin was given a $200,000 severance when she left her position with the county to take charge of the airport.

Mullin later agreed to repay it and last week gave the county a check for the after-tax amount of $135,900.Mullin and her attorney, Raymond Sterling, said they would seek the remainder of her contract with the airport authority, which is $708,000.The FBI is investigating Mullin's initial Wayne County severance deal.

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